Sea wave power converter

ABSTRACT

A primary piston that is connected to a secondary piston that is part of a compressor, primary and secondary piston are connected by a connecting rod, the primary piston is driven by the pressure and vacuum produced by a pressure chamber that is driven by the variation of the sea waves. The output of the compressor is applied to a pressure tank, and then the out put flow is controlled and applied to the turbine.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to United States patent number U.S.2007/0130929, issued Jun. 14, 2007, for WAVE POWER GENERATOR, by GhaziKhan, Shahnaz Khan, included by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power generator and, moreparticularly, to a generator that is driven from sea wave,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are problems related with generating energy or power from seawaves. One of them is that the sea wave has a crest and trough, thatwhen applied to a pressure chamber will produce a bidirectional force ofair. Therefore a normal turbine will not function because it wouldoscillate back and forward. So this force would have to be rectified toproduce a one way rotation on the turbine. Also the waves have differentwave length and different amplitudes. This would affect the steadyrotation that an electrical generator would need.

One solution is the Well's turbine that is been used in the Island ofIslay, Scotland. Another solution is using floats, by using the up anddown movement of the float to compress air.

The Well's Turbine in Islay Scotland will rectify the bidirectionalforce, but will not correct the problem of different wave length anddifferent amplitudes of the waves. That could affect the rotationstability of the generators. And using a float to compress air is a veryinefficient way of compressing air because it only uses the mass of thefloat and not the total mass of water that is being used.

It is therefore an object of the invention to produce useful energy fromthe sea waves.

It is another object of the invention to rectify or eliminate the seawaves variation in both length and amplitude, and to produce a constantoutput force.

It is another object of the invention to produce energy from sea wavesin the megawatt and higher range.

It is another object of the invention to produce clean energy from thesea.

It is another object of the invention to use the full mass of water tocompress air in the full cycle of compression. When the wave level go'sup or down. Which is very efficient. And not a float which is veryinefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a primarypiston that is connected to a secondary piston that is part of acompressor. Primary and secondary pistons are connected by a connectingrod. The primary piston is driven by the pressure and vacuum produced bya pressure chamber that is driven by the variation of the sea waves. Theoutput of the compressor is applied to a pressure tank. The output ofthe pressure tank is controlled by a control valve, so as to control theair flow that is applied to the turbine. The purpose of the primarypiston and compressor is to rectify the bidirectional force that isproduce at the output of the pressure chamber, The control valve iscontrolled by any electronic close loop control system that monitors thevelocity of rotation of the turbine or generator. Therefore, this systemwill cancel the variations of the sea waves, length and amplitude andproduce a force of air flow that is very stable for constant rotation ofthe electrical generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete system inside a building;

FIG. 2 is a left perspective view of a complete system without thebuilding that is used for housing;

FIG. 3 is a left detail view of an or the system in a idle state;

FIG. 4 is a left view of a response to a high level of water in thepressure chamber;

FIG. 5 is a left detail view of a response to a low level of water inthe pressure chamber;

FIG. 6 is a left perspective view of a compressor or the compressor andconnecting rod that connects the primary piston to the secondary pistonof the compressor;

FIG. 7 is a left detail view of a connecting rod between the primarypiston and the secondary piston of the compressor;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a secondary piston and the secondary pistonrings, also the check valve used in the compressor;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of a secondary piston and the relative positionsof the check valves; and

FIG. 10 is a right exploded view of a check valve and different views ofFIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14. of the same valve.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components willbear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The purpose of the present invention is take the energy present in seawaves or any large body of water which has waves and produce motiveforce. Since a wave has variations in both amplitude and wave length,this will produce a force that will be bidirectional and has variationsin the magnitude of force. This would cause the speed and force at theturbine 23 to variate, and would cause variation in both voltage andfrequency at the electrical generator 10. The present invention willcorrect all of this variations and apply a force that is constant andcompletely under control to the turbine 23. Also since it is using aprimary piston 24 and not a float, it is very efficient because thissystem uses the total mass of the water that is moving in the pressurechamber 1 which can be in tons and deliver energy in the megawatt rangeand higher.

FIG. 1: is a perspective view of this system. FIG. 2: is a perspectiveview without the housing or building structure that would house thissystem. Here we see the safety valve 5 for the pressure tank 6 andturbine housing 8. FIG. 3: is a side view of the internal parts of thissystem, also here the system is in a idle position. Also here is seenthe nozzle 16 or nozzles for applying the compressed air to the turbine23 to generate the motive force. Here is also seen the shock absorber 22or shock absorbers that are used to maintain the total travel of theprimary piston 24 with in the length of the piston cylinder. The lengthof this cylinder should be at least two times the average height of thewaves from crest to trough. In FIG. 4: and FIG. 5: is seen what changestake place as the water level go to a high level and than to a lowlevel. FIG. 6: we see the main parts of the compressor 13. Which areintake pipe 1 12, intake pipe 2 14, compressor output 1 30, compressoroutput 2 31 and cooling fin 4. Cooling fin 4 is used to dissipate theheat of the compressor 13 when in operation. FIG. 7: shows the internalparts of the compressor 13, like the connecting rod 15, primary piston24 and secondary piston 21. FIG. 8: is shown the internal parts of thecompressor 13 like the secondary piston 21 and the check valves. FIG. 9:shows where the check valves will be placed and in what position theintake and output check valves are placed relative to one another in thecompressor 13. Here we see how the intake check valve 1 17 and intakecheck valve 2 18 are placed inside the piston cylinder, but the outputcheck valve 1 19 and output check valve 2 20 are placed outside of thepiston cylinder. This is so that when the intake check valve 1 17 isopen the output check valve 1 19 will be closed and vice versa. Thisalso holds true for the intake check valve 2 18 and output check valve 220. The check valves are move by pressure generated by the secondarypiston 21. Here is also seen the piston ring 33. An optional pistoncenter balancing spring 32 that can be added to maintain the pistoncentered at idle. This piston center balancing spring 32 is attached atone end to the piston cylinder and the other end is attached to thesecondary piston 21. In FIG. 10 the different parts of the check valve25 used here can be seen, although any other type of check valves can beused as long as it can be opened and closed by the secondary piston 21generated pressure. In FIG. 10A: is seen the main parts of check valve25, valve disc 26, valve seat 27, spring 28 and retaining pin 29. FIG.10B: is a proportional view, FIG. 10C: is a front view. FIG. 10D: thecheck valve 25 is shown in close state and FIG. 10E: is in open state.This check valve 25 is opened or closed by the pressure generated by thesecondary piston 21.

The following is a description of the system in operation. The wavesenter the pressure chamber 1 at the bottom. The pressure or vacuumgenerated by the pressure chamber 1 will be applied to the primarypiston 24 via the intake and exhaust pipe 2, which also houses thepiston cylinder for the primary piston 24 as seen in FIG. 3. If thewater level is high like in FIG. 4: the primary piston 24 will move tothe left, likewise the secondary piston 21 which is part of thecompressor 13 will move to the left, because it is connected to theprimary piston 24 by the connecting rod 15 as seen in FIG. 7. In thecompressor 13, the intake check valve 1 17 will close and the outputcheck valve 1 19 will open to compress air into the pressure tank 6 asseen in FIG. 4:. Also the intake check valve 2 18 will open and let airin. And the output check valve 2 20 will close. When the level of wateris low, this will cause a vacuum in the pressure chamber 1 and theprimary piston 24 will move to the right as seen in FIG. 5:. Thesecondary piston 21 will move to the right because it is connected tothe primary piston 24 by the connecting rod 15. This will close intakecheck valve 2 18 and cause the output check valve 2 20 to open andcompress the air in the pressure tank 6. At the same time intake checkvalve 1 17 will open to let air into the compressor 13 and output checkvalve 1 19 will close. Output check valve 1 19, output check valve 2 20,intake check valve 1 17 and intake check valve 2 18 are actuated by theair pressure generated by the secondary piston 21 and the relativeposition of the check valves as seen in FIG. 9. The air is compressed ina full cycle of the secondary piston 21 and applied to the pressure tank6 via connecting pipe 1 3. From the pressure tank 6 the compressed airis applied to the turbine 23 via connecting pipe 2 11. Also the air iscontrolled by flow control valve 7 as seen in FIG. 3. The flow controlvalve 7 is controlled by any electronic close loop control system thatis constantly monitoring the frequency of the electrical generator 10and produce error signal to make the necessary corrections. The outputcompressed air that flows out of the pressure tank 6 and flow controlvalve 7 is applied to the turbine 23. Which in turn will move theelectrical generator 10. The used compressed air will flow out of theturbine housing 8 via the turbine exhaust 9. The air pressure applied tothe turbine 23 is controlled very precisely by this system.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

1. A sea wave power converter for converting the sea waves to usefulenergy, using the full mass of water that enters the pressure chamber,by using a primary piston connected to a secondary piston, comprising:means for generating the pressure and vacuum as the water rises andlowers its level; means for intake and exhaust of air, as the waterlevel produces the pressure and vacuum in the pressure chamber it alsoholds the piston and piston cylinder; means for connecting thecompressor to the pressure tank; means for storing the high pressure ofair from the compressor; means for controlling the flow going to theturbine, so the turbine will maintain a constant speed; means forhousing the turbine; means for exhausting the air pressure from theturbine; means for connecting the pressure tank to the turbine housingand turbine; means for intake of air to the compressor; means for intakeof air to the compressor; means for compressing the air that will bestored in the pressure tank; means for connecting the primary piston tothe secondary piston of the compressor; means for intake of air into thecompressor, to open and close the intake of air at the correct time;means for intake of air into the compressor, to open and close theintake of air at the correct time; means for output compressed air intothe pressure tank, at the correct time; means for output compressed airinto the pressure tank, at the correct time; means for compressing airin a full cycle also is part of the compressor; means for maintainingthe full cycle of the piston with in range of the piston cylinder; meansfor transferring the force of the sea waves to the secondary piston ofthe compressor via the connecting rod. and it uses the total mass ofwater; means for closing and opening at the correct time, to stop or letthe air pass so the compressor will able to compress the air; means forconnecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1; means for connectingthe compressed air to connecting pipe 1; means for making the piston gastight; means for converting the output of the compressed air into motiveforce; means for closing the valve when in contact with the seat; meansfor closing the valve when in contact with the valve disc; means formaintaining the valve close when in idle state; and means for holdingthe valve together.
 2. The sea wave power converter in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said means for generating the pressure and vacuum asthe water rises and lowers its level comprises a pressure chamber. 3.The sea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidmeans for intake and exhaust of air, as the water level produces thepressure and vacuum in the pressure chamber it also holds the piston andpiston cylinder comprises an intake and exhaust pipe.
 4. The sea wavepower converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means forconnecting the compressor to the pressure tank comprises a connectingpipe
 1. 5. The sea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1,wherein said means for storing the high pressure of air from thecompressor comprises a pressure tank.
 6. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the flowgoing to the turbine, so the turbine will maintain a constant speedcomprises a flow control valve.
 7. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for housing the turbinecomprises a turbine housing.
 8. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for exhausting the airpressure from the turbine comprises a turbine exhaust.
 9. The sea wavepower converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means forconnecting the pressure tank to the turbine housing and turbinecomprises a connecting pipe
 2. 10. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for intake of air to thecompressor comprises an intake pipe
 1. 11. The sea wave power converterin accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for intake of air to thecompressor comprises an intake pipe
 2. 12. The sea wave power converterin accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for compressing the airthat will be stored in the pressure tank comprises a compressor.
 13. Thesea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor connecting the primary piston to the secondary piston of thecompressor comprises a connecting rod.
 14. The sea wave power converterin accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for intake of air intothe compressor, to open and close the intake of air at the correct timecomprises an intake check valve
 1. 15. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for intake of air into thecompressor, to open and close the intake of air at the correct timecomprises an intake check valve
 2. 16. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for output compressed airinto the pressure tank, at the correct time comprises an output checkvalve
 1. 17. The sea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1,wherein said means for output compressed air into the pressure tank, atthe correct time comprises an output check valve
 2. 18. The sea wavepower converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means forcompressing air in a full cycle also is part of the compressor comprisesa secondary piston.
 19. The sea wave power converter in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said means for maintaining the full cycle of the pistonwith in range of the piston cylinder comprises a shock absorber.
 20. Thesea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor transferring the force of the sea waves to the secondary piston ofthe compressor via the connecting rod. and it uses the total mass ofwater comprises a primary piston.
 21. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for closing and opening atthe correct time, to stop or let the air pass so the compressor willable to compress the air comprises a check valve.
 22. The sea wave powerconverter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for connectingthe compressed air to connecting pipe 1 comprises a compressor output 1.23. The sea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid means for connecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1comprises a compressor output
 2. 24. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for making the piston gastight comprises a piston ring.
 25. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for converting the output ofthe compressed air into motive force comprises a turbine.
 26. The seawave power converter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means forclosing the valve when in contact with the seat comprises a valve disc.27. The sea wave power converter in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid means for closing the valve when in contact with the valve disccomprises a valve seat.
 28. The sea wave power converter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining the valve close when inidle state comprises a spring.
 29. The sea wave power converter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for holding the valvetogether comprises a retaining pin.
 30. A sea wave power converter forconverting the sea waves to useful energy, using the full mass of waterthat enters the pressure chamber, by using a primary piston connected toa secondary piston, comprising: a pressure chamber, for generating thepressure and vacuum as the water rises and lowers its level; an intakeand exhaust pipe, for intake and exhaust of air, as the water levelproduces the pressure and vacuum in the pressure chamber it also holdsthe piston and piston cylinder; a connecting pipe 1, for connecting thecompressor to the pressure tank; a pressure tank, for storing the highpressure of air from the compressor; a flow control valve, forcontrolling the flow going to the turbine, so the turbine will maintaina constant speed; a turbine housing, for housing the turbine; a turbineexhaust, for exhausting the air pressure from the turbine; a connectingpipe 2, for connecting the pressure tank to the turbine housing andturbine; an intake pipe 1, for intake of air to the compressor; anintake pipe 2, for intake of air to the compressor; a compressor, forcompressing the air that will be stored in the pressure tank; aconnecting rod, for connecting the primary piston to the secondarypiston of the compressor; an intake check valve 1, for intake of airinto the compressor, to open and close the intake of air at the correcttime; an intake check valve 2, for intake of air into the compressor, toopen and close the intake of air at the correct time; an output checkvalve 1, for output compressed air into the pressure tank, at thecorrect time; an output check valve 2, for output compressed air intothe pressure tank, at the correct time; a secondary piston, forcompressing air in a full cycle also is part of the compressor; a shockabsorber, for maintaining the full cycle of the piston with in range ofthe piston cylinder; a primary piston, for transferring the force of thesea waves to the secondary piston of the compressor via the connectingrod. and it uses the total mass of water; a check valve, for closing andopening at the correct time, to stop or let the air pass so thecompressor will able to compress the air; a compressor output 1, forconnecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1; a compressor output2, for connecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1; a pistonring, for making the piston gas tight; a turbine, for converting theoutput of the compressed air into motive force; a valve disc, forclosing the valve when in contact with the seat; a valve seat, forclosing the valve when in contact with the valve disc; a spring, formaintaining the valve close when in idle state; and a retaining pin, forholding the valve together.
 31. The sea wave power converter as recitedin claim 30, further comprising: a piston center balancing spring, formaintaining the piston at center position in ideal state.
 32. A sea wavepower converter for converting the sea waves to useful energy, using thefull mass of water that enters the pressure chamber, by using a primarypiston connected to a secondary piston, comprising: a pressure chamber,for generating the pressure and vacuum as the water rises and lowers itslevel; an intake and exhaust pipe, for intake and exhaust of air, as thewater level produces the pressure and vacuum in the pressure chamber italso holds the piston and piston cylinder; a connecting pipe 1, forconnecting the compressor to the pressure tank; a pressure tank, forstoring the high pressure of air from the compressor; a flow controlvalve, for controlling the flow going to the turbine, so the turbinewill maintain a constant speed; a turbine housing, for housing theturbine; a turbine exhaust, for exhausting the air pressure from theturbine; a connecting pipe 2, for connecting the pressure tank to theturbine housing and turbine; an intake pipe 1, for intake of air to thecompressor; an intake pipe 2, for intake of air to the compressor; acompressor, for compressing the air that will be stored in the pressuretank; a connecting rod, for connecting the primary piston to thesecondary piston of the compressor; an intake check valve 1, for intakeof air into the compressor, to open and close the intake of air at thecorrect time; an intake check valve 2, for intake of air into thecompressor, to open and close the intake of air at the correct time; anoutput check valve 1, for output compressed air into the pressure tank,at the correct time; an output check valve 2, for output compressed airinto the pressure tank, at the correct time; a secondary piston, forcompressing air in a full cycle also is part of the compressor; a shockabsorber, for maintaining the full cycle of the piston with in range ofthe piston cylinder; a primary piston, for transferring the force of thesea waves to the secondary piston of the compressor via the connectingrod. and it uses the total mass of water; a check valve, for closing andopening at the correct time, to stop or let the air pass so thecompressor will able to compress the air; a compressor output 1, forconnecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1; a compressor output2, for connecting the compressed air to connecting pipe 1; a pistoncenter balancing spring, for maintaining the piston at center positionin ideal state; a piston ring, for making the piston gas tight; aturbine, for converting the output of the compressed air into motiveforce; a valve disc, for closing the valve when in contact with theseat; a valve seat, for closing the valve when in contact with the valvedisc; a spring, for maintaining the valve close when in idle state; anda retaining pin, for holding the valve together.